Size-reducible box



Apr. 10, 1923. 1,451,622

H. F. MARSTON S IZE REDUCIBLE BOX Filed Nov. 18, 1961 Patented Apr. 10. i923.

STATE.

HOWARD F. MARSTON, OF DAYTON, OHIO.

SIZE-REDUCIBLE BOX.

Application filed November 18, 1921.

To all 207mm it may concern:

Be it known that I, HOWARD F. MARSTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dayton, in the county of Montgomery and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Size-Reducible Boxes, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to improvements in size-reducible boxes, designed particularly for containing tobacco in granulated or shredded form, the latter sometimes called fine-cut, for use in smoking or chewing.

The present invention is designed as a further development, more particularly in a structural. sense, of my other size-reducing box invention set forth in my application filed of even date herewith. Serial Number 2e 516,188.

This present invention or further development consists of two substantially cylindrical sections having a partial or complete screw-threaded interconnection, so that by rotating one or both sections the longitudinal position of the sections, one with respect to the other, will change and thus reduce or increase the longitudinal dimensions of the box.

By the expression partial or complete screw-thread interconnection, I wish to be understood as meaning that the screw threads between the sections may be in short sections or may be a continuous spiral.

In the accompanying drawings,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my improved size-reducing box; and

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the same.

In the drawings the numeral 1 designates the base section of my box which is substantially cylindrical in form and is pro vided with a series of spiral undulations 2 which constitute a coarse screw-thread. These undulations may be continuous, as

shown, or may be otherwise so long as they afford screw-threaded action.

The numeral 3 indicates the upper section of my box which also is of substantially cylindrical form and is similarly undulated, as shown at 4, so as to afford a corresponding coarse screw-thread to match with that of the base section of the box. As in the case of the lower section, so also in respect of this upper section, the undulations may form Serial No. 516,189.

continuous spirals or may be otherwise so long as a screw-thread action is afforded.

A bottom 5 is secured to the lower section and a top or cover 6 is removably fitted to the upper section, as by a hinge 11.- This top comprises an upper surface 7 and a side wall or skirt 8. In this way the box is made expansible and contractableexpansible when the top is forced over the upper section and contractable when it is removed. In this way the top is readily applied and readily withdrawn from the section and will also keep its place on the section when once applied thereto.

As seen in Fig. 2 my box contains a carton designated at 12 and consisting of paper or some other suitable material, but usually that. This carton occupies the interior of the box, while in turn the contents occupy the interior of the carton, which contents may be tobacco or candy or soap or any other article which from time to time is to be partially removed from the box, such periodical removal of quantities reducing the contents.

In order to reduce the size of the box to agree with the bulk of the contents the sections are rotated with respect to each other until the upper edge of the top section is substantially coincident with the level of the contents. The empty portion of the carton is either bent over on the contents or preferably removed, as by tearing or cutting, the carton being frangible.

Thus, my box is reducible in size from a size sufiicient to contain the maximum quantity of the contents until much of the contents have been taken out. The box in this last stage will be of such size as to still render it easy to remove the contents, as by inserting the fingers.

It will now be understood that as the contents are lowered the box is reducible in size and that by reason of the frictional engagement between the box sections the box will remain in any given size to which it may be reduced by the relative rotation of the sections.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A size-reducible tobacco box o1 such dimensions as to adapt it to be carried in the pocket comprising two sections, one section closed at one end and the other section having a removable top, one section 0]: the box being rotatable on the other and screwthread like devices connecting the two sections whereby as the material in the carton is used the size of the box may be reduced by rotating one section of the box on the other.

2. A size-reducible tobacco box of such dimensions as to adapt it to be carried in the pocket comprising a plurality of substantially cylindrical sections, one permanently closed at one end and the other having a hinged cover, the sections having complementary screw-thread like undulations which when either section is rotated with respect to the other causes the sections to distend or contract longitudinally to vary the space between the bottom and top of the box.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature.

HOWARD F. MARSTON. 

